Fence-wire stretcher.



l F No. 795,286. I PATENTED JULY 25,1905. F 0. M. KNOX.

FENCE WIRE STRETGHER.

APPLICATION FILED APB. 22.1905.

.2. Q2? 8 v 74 72 J ORVILLE M. KNOX, OF ONEIDA, NEW YORK.

FENCE-WIRE STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 25, 1905.

Application filed April 22, 1905. Serial No. 256,903.

10 (LU ZU/LOTIL it 777/61, concern:

Be itknown that LORvILLn M. KNOX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oneida, in the county of Madison and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Tire Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a fence wire stretcher and tightener, the object of the invention being to provide a simple and effective device by which the line-wires of a fence may be tightened to the desired tension and secured to the end posts, and, further, to provide a device which is especially adapted for application to metallic fence-posts.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same, the post appearing in horizontal section. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, and Fig. 4: is a rear end elevation.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 represents ametallic bracket or frame whose parts are preferably formed as a unitary structure in a single casting. This frame comprises side pieces2 and 3 of unequal length, the shorter side piece 2 being provided at its rear end with an arm 4, extending inwardly toward the side piece 3 to a point about midway between said side pieces and then bent rearwardly at right angles to form a jaw 5, disposed parallel with the extended rear end of the side-piece 3, which forms a cooperating jaw 6. These jaws are spaced apart a suflicient distance to admit the end post 7 and are pierced for the passage of a bolt 8, provided with an ordinary securingnut 9, whereby the jaws may bedrawn together to clamp the frame to the post. The sides are connected at their forward ends by a transverse front piece 10. By this construction the frame is made of the requisite width to receive the reel, hereinafter described, while adapting it to be applied to comparatively narrow metallic end posts.

Rising vertically from the side pieces 2 and 3, adjacent to the cross-piece 10, are vertical standardsll and 12,for1ned in their upper front edges with open bearings 13 to receive the journals 1 1 of a removable reel-shaft 15, one end of said shaft terminating in a polygonal head 16 to receive a suitable actuating crank or key. The shaft is provided centrally with a transverse opening 17 for the reception and connection of the end of the line-wire therewith and carries adjacent to the standard 11 a looking disk or head 18, provided with a series of spaced holes 19, arranged concentric with the shaft. A locking pin or key 20 is adapted to be fitted into one or the other of these openings and bear against the front edge of the standard 11 to hold the shaft from retrograde rotation after the wire has been applied thereto and tightened. Projecting from the inner face of the standard 12 is a lug or shoulder 21, which is designed to abut against'the outer side of the post 7 and firmly hold the bracket or frame from canting under the tensional pull of the wire.

In operation the bracket is applied to the end post in the manner shown in Fig. 2, the end of the line-wire fitted in the opening 17, the reel turned to wind the wire up on the shaft until the wire is stretched to the desired tension, and the key 20 fitted in the proper opening 19 in the disk 18 to hold the shaft from retrograde rotation. The pull of the wire will then hold the shaft securely seated in the bearings 13, while the lug 21 will bear upon the post and prevent the bracket from canting under such pull, thus maintaining the wire taut and relieving the clamping-bolt 8 from strain. Of course it will be understood that one of the devices will be provided for each line-wire to be secured to the end post.

Having thus described'the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. A fence wire securer, comprising a bracket, means for securing the bracket to a fence-post, a reel carried by the bracket, means for locking the reel from retrograde rotation, and means independent of said securing means to engage the post and hold the bracket from canting under the tension of the secured wire.

2. A fence wire securer, comprising a bracket having jaws to embrace a fence-post, fastening means for drawing the jaws together to clamp the post, standards carried by the bracket, a reel journaled in said standards, and a lug or shoulder on one of said standards to engage the post and hold the bracket from canting under the tension. of the secured wire.

3. A fence wire securer, comprising a bracket having jaws to embrace a fence-post, fastening means for drawing the jaws together to clamp the post, standards carried by the bracket, a reel journaled in said standards, and carrying a disk provided with openings, a key adapted to be fitted into one or the other of said openings and abut against one of the standards to hold the reel from retrograde rotation, and'a lug or shoulder on the other standard to abut against the post and hold the bracket from canting under the tension of the secured Wire.

4. A fence Wire securer, comprising a bracket having a post receiving and engaging portion at the rear thereof, means cooperating With said portion for securing the bracket to a fence-post, a reel carried by the front portion of the bracket above the plane of said post receiving and. engaging portion, means 

